Risk evaluation of relapse into violent crime in offenders with mental disorders in two different rehabilitation programs: a case-control study
V. 172 N. 5 (2021), Research article
V. 172 N. 5 (2021)

Risk evaluation of relapse into violent crime in offenders with mental disorders in two different rehabilitation programs: a case-control study: doi: 10.7417/CT.2021.2355

Research article
Pubblicato 2021-10-09
V. La Torre
Departmental Unit of Penitentiary Psychiatry - Department of Mental Health ASL Bari, Italy
A. Papazacharias
Direction of Department of Mental Health ASL Bari, Italy;
S. Spaccavento
Direction of Department of Mental Health ASL Bari, Italy
F. Grassi
Departmental Unit of Penitentiary Psychiatry - Department of Mental Health ASL Bari, Italy
M. Cantacessi
Departmental Unit of Penitentiary Psychiatry - Department of Mental Health ASL Bari, Italy
F. De Dominicis
Departmental Unit of Penitentiary Psychiatry - Department of Mental Health ASL Bari, Italy
D. Semisa
Departmental Unit of Penitentiary Psychiatry - Department of Mental Health ASL Bari, Italy - Direction of Department of Mental Health ASL Bari, Italy
D. Montalbò
Department of Basic Medical Science, Neuroscience and Sense Organs, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy
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Parole chiave

HKT-R
Psychiatric facilities
psychiatric rehabilitation
psychiatric therapeutic specialized rehabilitative units
violent crime relapse

Abstract

Objectives: Over the last years, many research groups have been working on evaluating the most appropriate rehabilitation approaches in offenders with mental disorders, taking into account the need to prevent crime reiteration. The HKT-R (Historisch Klinisch Toekomst- Revised), recently validated in Italy, is a comprehensive tool that offers useful indications to healthcare operators on relapse hazard and major risk areas on which intensify rehabilitation treatments. The present study aims to assess the risk of violent crime recidivism in psychiatric patients during different rehabilitative pats.

Methods: the risk of violent crime recidivism was assessed by using the HKT-R in 34 patients with mental disorders treated in ordinary psychiatric therapeutic rehabilitative units (CRAP – Comunità Terapeutiche Riabilitative Assistenziali Psichiatriche) and in CRAP-D (Comunità Terapeutiche Riabilitative Assistenziali Psichiatriche Dedicate) specialized in crime offenders.

Results: Results have demonstrated a higher risk of violent behavior in CRAP-D, and a negative correlation between the risk of violent recidivism, global functioning of patients, and length of care program. These data suggest that residential rehabilitation programs, by improving personal and social functioning, could negatively impact the risk of violent crime recidivism, especially in patients with severe mental illness.

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